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On Wednesday, August 13, an Emmett Township police officer who was not identified was arrested by Michigan State Police on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, according to news articles at Mlive.com.

Two separate incidents allegedly took place at the officer’s home while he was not on duty, according to a police news release. He has been suspended with pay while the investigation continues.

It was announced the following day that a special prosecutor is being sought by Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert’s office to review the case. State police investigators submitted the case to the prosecutor’s office for review on Thursday; Gilbert said that his office wants to request counsel from outside the county in order to “avoid the appearance of any impropriety.” The prosecutor who is brought in will then determine if charges should be filed against the officer.

While Michigan State Police and Gilbert declined to identify the officer, other media outlets have identified the alleged offender as Troy Estree, a 45-year-old Emmett Township resident whose wife is on staff with the Battle Creek Police Department as a detective.

First-degree CSC is an extremely serious charge, particularly when the crime involves a minor. In Michigan, anyone convicted of this offense, which involves penetration, may face a maximum term of life in prison. When the victim is younger than 13 years of age, the mandatory minimum prison term is 25 years. News reports in this cases do not reveal the age of the victim, only that she was a teenager.

As all Michigan sex crime lawyers know, these types of cases can be tough. Teenagers are often ready to explore areas such as sex, drugs, and alcohol. While this does not justify any adult taking advantage of a teen sexually, teens are also apt to make accusations regarding individuals in positions of authority. Proving or disproving allegations of sexual assault can be extremely difficult without solid, undisputable evidence.

On July 29, 23-year-old Willus L. Williamson allegedly raped and robbed a woman near his East Side Saginaw home, according to news reports at Mlive.com. In all, Williamson has been charged with seven felonies including three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct causing personal injury, and one count each of unarmed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, assault by strangulation, and second-degree CSC causing personal injury.

News reports indicate the crimes occurred about a block away from Williamson’s home, and that he took the victim’s clothing, cigarettes, lighter, and driver’s license. A statute which was made effective in April 2013 defines assault by strangulation as, “intentionally impeding normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth of another person.”

If found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Williamson may face a maximum term of life in prison, as first-degree CSC involves penetration. The defendant may also face up to 15 years on the imprisonment and second-degree robbery charges. Williamson pleaded not guilty and is currently held on a $700,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 15.

While all of the charges leveled against Williamson are serious, first-degree CSC is the most serious of all, as it could leave him facing the rest of his life behind bars if found guilty. It is too soon to tell at this point, but Williamson’s defense attorney may choose to discuss the possibility with his client of working a plea deal with prosecutors, particularly if the evidence against Williamson is solid. In most cases, pleading down to a lesser offense will result in less serious criminal penalties. However, if Mr. Williamson is indeed innocent, the case will likely go to trial.

On Wednesday August 6, 45-year-old Bruce Scherzer of Bay city was arraigned on five felony charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a girl who is younger than 13, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

The girl reported the two incidents, which allegedly took place in July, to staff at the Nathan Weidner Children’s Advocacy Center. She claimed that Scherzer had touched her private area, and had her touch his private area at a Bangor Township residence, and claimed that he had sex with her on two different occasions.

Scherzer is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13, an offense that if convicted could leave him facing up to life in prison. The mandatory minimum sentence for a conviction of first-degree CSC with someone younger than 13 is 25 years. Scherzer is also charged with three counts of second-degree CSC with a person younger than 13, a 15-year felony.

Scherzer, a married father of four children, requested that Bay County District Judge Mark E. Janer appoint him an attorney, as he could not afford to hire a lawyer himself. His bond was set at $200,000 as requested by the prosecutor, who said Scherzer had been convicted on a conspiracy to commit armed robbery charge back in the mid-90’s.

Protecting a defendant’s freedom and reputation can be extremely tough in sexual assault cases, particularly when children are involved. As all Michigan sex crime attorneys are aware, too many innocent people are found guilty of crimes of this nature. Children are easily influenced by adults, who may coerce them into making up stories or saying things that are not factual. While children are sexually abused in our country every day, there are unfortunately many cases in which innocent individuals sit behind bars today.

Michael E. Flores, a 28-year-old Saginaw man, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl who was under the age of 13 in August of last year. Flores was initially charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and now one count of second-degree CSC has been added.

In July, a not guilty plea was entered by Saginaw County District Judge M.T. Thompson on Flores’ behalf. He was ordered held in custody on a $150,000 bond. At his preliminary hearing on August 1, a judge ruled that prosecutors in the case demonstrated probable cause to take Flores to trial in Circuit Court.

If Flores goes to trial and is found guilty, he will spend a minimum of 25 years in prison. In Michigan, first-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; however, when the victim is younger than 13 years of age at the time of the assault, the minimum sentence is 25 years. This means that if Flores is found guilty, he will likely be in his mid 50’s before he has any chance of being released from prison – but he could be sentenced to life. Continue reading →

In early July, former Kent County Prosecutor Mark Richard Vandermolen was accused of groping and sexually assaulting a woman after she met him at a downtown dancing event and went back to his home with him. Vandermolen is 61, the alleged victim 41.

According to police, the woman said that she was not interested in a sexual relationship, however Vandermolen allegedly groped her, kissed her breasts, and exposed her private areas as she fought to push him off. Police said that Vandermolen granted her request, and that they recorded a phone call in which the former county prosecutor apologized for his behavior, explaining to the victim that he had not been with a woman in a long time.

Vandermolen had initially decided he would represent himself in court, but has since changed his mind. He has since hired a criminal defense lawyer to represent him against charges of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Vandermolen served more than 10 years in the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office, and is facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the charges against him.

News reports claim that the woman was from Iran, and had only recently come to the West Michigan area. Vandermolen allegedly began kissing her neck which progressed to more serious conduct as the two were watching television at his home.

The former Kent County prosecutor pleaded not guilty. The next hearing is scheduled for August 26.

Michigan sex crime attorneys know the serious consequences individuals face when accused of sexual assault, rape, and other sex crimes. While Vandermolen pleaded not guilty, will the recorded phone conversation between himself and the victim in which he was apologizing be detrimental to his case? It will be interesting to see how this case is resolved.

On Friday, July 25, 80-year-o9ld Jose G. Espitia waived his right to a preliminary hearing after appearing before Saginaw County District Judge M.T. Thompson on sexual assault charges, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Espitia is accused of sexually assaulting a young female relative, and is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against a relative, and two counts of first-degree CSC against someone younger than 13.

Espitia was arrested by Buena Vista police on July 11 for allegedly sexually assaulting the young girl from 2008 until just last month. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is being held on a $200,000 bond.

If convicted, Espitia could face up to life in prison. The mandatory minimum prison sentence is 25 years when an individual is convicted of first-degree CSC involving someone younger than 13 years of age. News reports state that Espitia can go forward with a trial, accept a plea agreement from prosecutors, or plead guilty or no contest to the charges now that he is in Circuit Court.

Michigan sex crime attorneys know there are several legal options for individuals who are accused of sexual assault and other similar crimes. How a defendant proceeds is often based on whether he/she is guilty or innocent, the strength of the evidence, and other factors. Typically, if a defendant is guilty and accepts a plea agreement, charges are reduced which results in less damaging criminal penalties.

Last week, 23-year-old Edward Charles Eubanks was arraigned on charges in connection with two separate incidents in which he allegedly raped 14-year-old girls in his car. According to a news article at Mlive.com, Eubanks, a Muskegon resident, was charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving sexual penetration through force or coercion, causing physical injury, and one count of third-degree CSC with a victim between 13 and 16 years old.

Eubanks has been convicted on drug charges in the past, and was charged as a fourth-time habitual offender in the rape cases. According to Timothy Maat, Chief Assistant Muskegon County Prosecutor, both of the 14-year-old girls knew Eubanks, who raped each girl after offering her a ride in his car. One of the rapes is alleged to have occurred on June 1, and the other on July 21. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 5; Eubanks remains in Muskegon County Jail.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct involves penetration, and is the most serious sex offense an individual may be accused of. If convicted, the defendant may face up to life in prison. Registration as a sex offender is mandatory for those found guilty of first-degree CSC.

Third-degree criminal sexual conduct also involves penetration, and is a charge given when other conditions are met, such as force or coercion, the defendant knows that the victim is incapacitated either physically or mentally, and other conditions. The criminal penalties for a conviction of third-degree CSC include up to 15 years in prison and sex offender registration, among other penalties.

Michigan sex crime defense attorneys are certainly aware that rape, child molestation, and other similar crimes do happen all too often, however there are also many occasions on which an individual who is innocent is accused of rape or sexual assault. This can result in an innocent person spending a substantial number of years or even life behind bars. Even worse in some cases is the fact that the individual will be labeled as a sex offender, and shunned by society.

On Tuesday, July 22, 49-year-old Joseph A. Howell of Saginaw was arraigned on charges of sexually assaulting a young girl beginning in January of 2008, and continuing through December of 2011. According to a news article at Mlive.com, Howell was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13, and two counts of second-degree CSC with a victim younger than 13.

Court records revealed that the alleged victim notified staff at the Nathan Weidner Children’s Advocacy Center about the molestations by Howell. The young girl told staff that Howell had digitally penetrated her on numerous occasions at a Bay City residence.

Howell is attempting to get disability payments due to health concerns, and is not employed. He was arraigned via closed-circuit television in front of Bay County Chief District Judge Timothy J. Kelly from his jail cell. Howell’s preliminary exam is scheduled for August 5. His bond was set at $250,000 cash-surety.

Second-degree CSC is a 15 year offense, while first-degree criminal sexual conduct can result in a life prison term for those convicted. If found guilty, Howell could spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

Michigan sex crime attorneys know there are legal options for those accused of sexual assault, child molestation, and other related crimes. Depending on the situation and whether the alleged offender is guilty or innocent, an experienced lawyer may advise the client that working a plea agreement with prosecutors may be advantageous. In a situation where the evidence against the defendant is substantial or overwhelming, it may be best to plead guilty to a lesser charge, which typically results in a reduced sentence.

Recently, a father and son from Birch Run were charged with the sexual assault of a young female relative. According to news reports at Mlive.com, 66-year-old Juan Cabello Sr. and 41-year-old Juan Cabello Jr. were charged with multiple sex-related counts after allegedly assaulting a relative over a span of five years. The alleged sexual assault began when the girl was younger than 13.

The two Cabellos were arrested by Michigan State Police on July 17 after prosecutors charged the men with sexually assaulting the young girl beginning in 2008, and continuing through late last year at their Birch Run Township home. Cabello Sr. was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against someone under the age of 13, and one count of second-degree CSC against a relative age 13 through 16. Cabello Jr. faces two counts each of first- and second-degree CSC against a relative.

The two men pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, and were held on $50,000 bonds ordered by Saginaw County District Judge Kyle Higgs at their July 18 arraignment. The Cabellos are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 30.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct is an extremely serious charge, and involves penetration. If convicted, the maximum penalty is life in prison. Individuals who are found guilty of most sex crimes are also required to register for a determined amount of time to life as a sex offender, depending on whether the crime is considered a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III offense. Being a registered sex offender is often the worst punishment of all for an individual who serves little time behind bars, as it makes finding employment or housing difficult. Society also tends to shun those who are known sex offenders.

David Wing, a former southwestern Michigan teacher and coach, was arrested on Saturday on sexual assault charges. Wing, who is 59 years old, is accused of the sexual assault of a 16-year-old child and producing child sexually abusive material, according to a news report at Wood TV.

Wing was escorted from his Three Rivers home by police in handcuffs, and is charged with four felony offenses involving children. News reports indicate that investigators spent hours at the suspect’s home collecting evidence against him.

A neighbor told reporters that residents of the neighborhood wondered why Wing was led from his home, also saying that there were a “bunch” of cops at his home on July 4th as well. The neighbor said that she believed they should be informed if there is something going on that involves kids.

Wing worked at several school districts including Hillsdale, Constantine, Marcellus, and Three Rivers. He was a coach and assistant principal at Marcellus, and according to a parent whose daughters were coached by Wing, “would do anything for anybody.” Some of Wing’s friends told reporters that they did not believe the allegations against Wing could be true, and that he had been accused by a student in Constantine but won the case against him.

A news article at WWMT.com states that the allegations against Wing go back to 2008, and that he has been charged with four felonies. Wing is scheduled back in court for a preliminary exam later this month.

In the state of Michigan, the possession of child pornography or materials that are determined to be child sexually abusive is a serious felony. When someone is charged with the actual production of child sexually abusive materials, the situation becomes even more serious and leaves the accused facing years in prison if convicted. If an individual is found guilty of coercing a child who is younger than 18 years old to participate in the creation of child sexually abusive or pornographic material, he or she may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison along with fines of up to $100,000.